Issa: Panetta and Blair should change jobs

Rep. Daryl Issa, R-Vista, is making himself a reputation as the Republican to watch in the House. His new brainstorm today is that former Monterey congressman now CIA chief Leon Panetta should switch jobs with his ostensible boss, Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair.

The idea makes a lot of sense, given the two men’s respective strengths and the turf war going on between them.

Issa notes that Admiral Blair is “a highly-decorated Pacific fleet commander,” with obviously strong military credentials. He would be less likely to have to prove his credibility at the embattled spy agency. He is used to “command and control” but is charged with administration.

Washington wise-man Panetta, he said, is “a seasoned and immensely competent Washington insider.” He has proven administrative skills, considering his stints as former White House chief of staff under President Bill Clinton as well as OMB director.

“In this instance, the Obama administration has selected two outstanding and experienced leaders to serve America’s national security interests. If internal conflicts now threaten the effective coordination of these interests, the president may need to intervene personally and reorganize his national security team,” Issa said. “Perhaps Panetta, with his vast administrative and political experience, is better suited as DNI while Blair, with his extensive background as a commander, would thrive at the CIA.

“Such organizational shakeups and senior-level swaps within an administration are common in presidential history. Indeed, they are often a sign of good and efficient management skills that ensure the nation’s top leaders are assigned the most suitable roles.”

Issa cites a June 9 New York Times story about a Blair directive last month indicating that he intended to “handpick every overseas senior intelligence officer. Panetta responded, staking out the exclusive and historic province of the CIA to install station chiefs.” Now the White House has to mediate a truce.